Okay, Tom didn't win but he did get 2nd place People's Choice Award in the Annual Ward Chili Cook-off! The winners were decided by a popular vote (tickets in a jar) and Tom was 1 ticket away from winning. BTW ... Chelsea and T.J. forgot to vote ... we all know that means Tom actually won. We're still trying to decide if we're gonna let them live. (hee hee)
This is how we found Evie after the girls brought home their World's Finest Chocolate candy bar fundraisers from school! I dread these things ... mostly because I usually eat more than they sell!
Kaylee is a talented musician while playing the clarinet in the 6th grade band and an avid dancer, with ballet being her heart and soul! (BTW ... those are ornaments she hung on her clarinet and in her hair.) She's the Beehive class President at church and is actively working on her Personal Progress. Two weeks ago she decided to "adopt a grandma" from one of the nursing homes behind our house. We discussed the information she needed and the questions she would need to ask the nurses before visiting anyone specific. Very courageously she and I walked to the nursing home and she explained her mission to the nurse. The activities nurse was contacted and a patient was selected. Her name is Helen and she loves to crochet. Now, 2 or 3 times a week she walks to the home and visits Helen. She brings her knitting and they work on projects together. Sunday Helen gave Kaylee a crocheted outfit for her Barbie. I hope she continues this relationship for a long time.
December 11, 1996 Tom and I had our "first Noel". Born exactly 2 weeks before Christmas ... and exactly 2 weeks late. Chelsea Noelle has always been and will always be a beautiful soul. She's very passionate! Tom says often that she's just like her Grandma Cookie ... she has her eyes, her beautiful dark hair, her passion and well, her passion. She is a born leader and I hope she never forgets the power of example. She's very well liked at school and an excellent student. Creativity comes naturally to her. This year she's learning a new talent and playing drums/percussion in the school band! She gives a mean neck massage and the softest kisses on the cheek right next to your ear so that her heavy breathing almost tickles your ear. Love you Loo Loo
It's December ... and when did I post last ... May? Sad, I know.
Our family has been super busy! There's so much catching up to do that I've been a little overwhelmed and have procrastinated. So in order to get "blogging" again, I've decided to just jot a few things down. As soon as I get the pictures on disc I'll make a fantabulous slide show for all to see!
Over the summer Tom and I went to Branson with T.J.'s Jazz Band and performed on stage with the Haygoods and other amazing places, including a dinner/show on the Branson Showboat. This year he's in 8th grade and is not only playing the trombone but the bass guitar as well. The high school marching band instructor has asked him to get ready for the tuba since 2 of the tuba players are graduating this year. He recently made the county band and is challenging himself to tryout for the district band. This is a huge challenge considering some of the biggest schools in the state will be there as well!
Tom went to Alaska, came home and he and I started back to college at RSU. I'm getting a nursing degree and ... well ... he still doesn't know what he wants to do when he grows up!
Kaylee is dancing again this year and is a soldier in the Children's Nutcracker (more on that later). She's playing the clarinet in the 6th grade band.
Chelsea has been taking dance, but decided that her love is still soccer. She'll start back up this spring. Until then she's recovering from getting her tonsils out. She's also our little drummer girl in her band in 5th grade. She's learning the bells first and then she'll be moving onto her little practice pad ... next we'll all be banging our heads against the wall to the rhythm of her beat.
Madalyn started soccer this fall and loves it! She pushes herself really hard and always comes off the field with a red, sweaty, smiley face. She also got baptized in October with her cousin Kaitlyn. These two are great friends and it was such an amazing experience to see these sweet little spirits make such a huge step together. They sang "I'm Trying to Be Like Jesus" together at their baptism. She's in 2nd grade and is setting reading goals and reaching them quickly!
Evie is probably our next little dancer. She walks on her toes most of the time and loves watching "Rena" ... no, not her cousin, that's Balle"rena"... Barbie in the Nutcracker that is.
And Claira turned one! She's healthy and eating/drinking everything she can get her hands on (and even a little of what everyone else has their hands on too!). I'm not sure if she'll ever walk though, her little feet rarely touch the ground!
